It's not one thing, it's another [Dr Who spoilers]

Been having a problem with water dripping from the ceiling in the front room downstairs during torrential downpours - of which there have been a few lately. [When I say lately, I mean since the beginning of this season laughably known as summer.] Thought it was due to blocked downpipes, so went out in midst of monsoon and cleared downpipes. That removed the blockage, but not the dripping. Realised several slates above the bay window were broken, probably cracked underfoot by a window cleaner, so got a roofer to come in and fix the slates. He also repaired a joint in the downpipe.

Few weeks back the telly went bung. Took two weeks to get a repairman out to fix it. Two days after he'd been, the roofer fixed the slates and the downpipe. The lead from the TV aerial runs down past the downpipe. Ever since the roofer's been to fix the roof and downpipe, our TV reception has been unwatchable. Can still watch DVDs, but not regular TV. So now need to get aerial and associated cabling fixed. Am fearful of 'old lady who swallowed a fly' syndrome, whereby will need to build a new house to replace squeaking door hinge or something similar.

In other news, Catherine Tate has been confirmed as the Doctor's new companion for the next series of Doctor Who. She'll be reprising the character of Donna, first seen in the 2006 Christmas special The Runaway Bride. That collective gulp you can hear is the sound of a million fanboys recoiling in surprise while trying to decide if this is the best news in the world ever, or the inevitable signal that the revived series has well and truly jumped the shark. You can make your own minds up about that, can't you? Thought so.

Meanwhile, I've booked flights to and from That Fancy London for an excursion next week. I'm flying down from Prestwick, an airport so grudforsaken no would-be terrorist would ever bother with it, on Wednesday to take a few meetings and attend Tony Jordan's Face2Face interview at the Royal Court Theatre at 5.15pm that afternoon. Hopefully there'll be a chance to shake hands with him and introduce myself, followed by a natter with other bloggers at the event. Fly back on Thursday afternoon, inspired and eager to write more scintillating stuff. Or somesuch. Should be a nice break from staring at my computer screen. Now, where's my iced finger?